"Today, the Rutherian police are investigating a possible attack on the terrorist group Umbras. Three individuals were reportedly seen fighting against one of the group's elite colonels. Further information will soon be verified by the Rutherian Parliament."

The click of a button echoed through the room. The blonde man sat back down, slamming his palms flat against the table.

"What was that?! Can someone explain to me what that so-called 'attack' was all about?" — he shouted, clearly rattled by the events.

Inside the office, the young princess sat in a chair alongside Lady Karin and Lady Yunna. Alice avoided meeting the gaze of her childhood friend, who scowled at her with half-lidded eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hunter..." — she began. — "I warned Karin that this would be an act of extreme recklessness... but unfortunately, by the time I realized, it was already too late."

The tall woman in white and red robes sat beside her, her face resting against the back of the chair, deliberately looking away from him. The lady in purple robes, with long, dark brown hair, was the only one who actually seemed to face him. She sat next to her mother.

"It was necessary!" — Karin shot up, raising her voice. — "If I hadn't made that decision, something far worse could have occurred!"

"And what proof do you have that it would have truly happened?" — the man asked, trying to intimidate her.

"I had a feeling something terrible was brewing—that those knights coming to interview people would most likely end up kidnapping her..."

"Enough!" — Hunter stood up. — "For the first time, I see that someone actually had the decency to think, even if they are theoretically 'immature'..."

He walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Thankfully, it was the right call. Even if it sparked the beginning of a civil war... I managed to pull some strings to keep Yunna and Karin's names off the investigation list. Alice already has external influence on her side." — He gave her arm a couple of pats and returned to his chair. — "Get some rest. You'll need to reflect on this... Unfortunately, a lot of people are going to want your heads."

The High Priestess and the Princess rose and left. Karin was the last to exit, closing the wooden door behind her. They stepped into a vast, wooden-floored corridor with towering walls and grand windows.

The young lady reached out and placed her hand on Alice's shoulder.

"I'm sorry about all this, Alice..."

Alice turned and forced a smile, speaking in a low tone.

"It's fine... Don't worry about it."

And with that, she walked away, leaving Karin and Yunna behind. Karin watched her go, feeling deeply unsettled by the scene and the silent treatment.

"Look, daughter, I need some time alone. I'm going to my room to take a hot bath... this whole situation was... tragic."

And so, Karin was left alone. Her two companions had gone, leaving her in that vast, endless corridor. She began to walk aimlessly, head bowed.

The early morning sun was pleasantly warm, and the climate-controlled air was refreshing. Walking through the corridor, she felt utterly isolated. People and servants passed by occasionally, but one thing was certain—this was a deeply troubling situation.

As the light streamed through the window, she thought: If only I could defeat Umbras and return to my homeland…

"Karin!" — a voice exclaimed inside her.

"Ryukuro? What is it?"

"Remember when I mentioned that I was going to train you in the High Priestess's place?"

"Did you? ...Geez, you were controlling me back then, so I guess that's true."

"Find a courtyard and ready your sword. You'll need discipline to get back into proper shape."

"Alright..."

"You seem disappointed right now. Why?"

"I just wish my mother and Alice would acknowledge my actions. They didn't seem to like it much."

"You're wrong! During your training today, I'll discuss this matter with you."

From where she stood, she quickened her pace, rushing as fast as she could.

A tall, ornamented iron portal was divided by a large door of polished glass. She slid it open, stepping into a massive, transparent dome. The sun beat down on the vibrant green grass, gently ruffled by the local climate control system.

She stepped inside, gripping the scabbard with her left hand and looking up, admiring the vivid blue sky with barely a cloud in sight.

"Shall we begin?!"

"Whoa! What a fright! Right... I just got distracted." — she laughed sheepishly after the scare.

"Today, I will teach you things that are absolutely essential for the future awakening of the supreme power needed to defeat Robert James and his cronies."

"Supreme power? What is that?"

"A power that even I never mastered in my lifetime... 'Null Sentiment'." — He paused and continued seriously. — "A power that, once awakened, could make you the strongest anyone has ever seen! The first thing I need you to do is meditate to completely empty your mind."

"Empty my mind? Why?"

"Enough! No more questions. Sit down and close your eyes."

"Okay... sounds weird..."

She settled onto the ground, crossing her legs. She sat, placed her hands on her knees, and closed her eyes.

"Forget everything? What do you mean?"

"Be silent. Relax your limbs and focus on the absolute void."

Her mind was overwhelmingly overloaded. She squeezed her eyes shut, growing irritated at the relentless stream of thoughts. Ryukuro whispered to her.

"Peace... and tranquility in the order of things."

For a brief moment, that whisper materialized in her mind: a young woman with long, flowing white hair, white robes, and a long white-and-gold sword. Karin's brow furrowed, sweat beading on her forehead, as she grew restless.

"Robert James?! That sword..."

"Karin! That doesn't matter right now. Forget everything and think of the void!"

"That's easy for someone to say who's never had to do this!"

"Did you love your father? If you truly love him, think of nothing! Forget it all!"

Right... forget... empty... reduce everything to...

...

In a room with rose-colored walls, where the air smelled of lavender, the young princess sat on her bed.

"I'm sorry, Karin... I'm so sorry... When it comes to Hunter, I get so emotional..."

A buzzing sound and a cute melody came from the desk, making Alice jump out of bed.

"What?! Who's calling me at this hour!"

She walked across the room, reached her chair, and stared at the keypad phone on the desk. She read the caller ID: "Dear Mother."

"Mother?!"

She picked up the phone and answered a video call, which overlayed a three-dimensional image of the lady on the screen.

"Daughter! I need to talk to you about Lady Karin and her mother, Yunna."

"What about them? Why?"

"Bring them here to Nicion. I have a gift for her—and for you. I'll be waiting."

"What do you—" — Alice shouted in shock, but her mother hung up quickly. — "Wait! Damn it... I have to take both of them with me to Franpari... Well, at least they'll get to taste some great spices over there! Anyway, I have to tell them..."

As she grabbed her suitcase from her pink, white-embroidered bed, a knock came at her door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Hunter! Hurry to the district entrance! We have trouble!"

She quickly gathered her things, shut the case, and ran to open the door.

"Grab the suitcase! I'll head to the entrance!"

Running down the enormous corridor, she spotted Yunna heading in the same direction. The young woman called out.

"What's happening, Yunna!"

"A civil war... that's what they told me."

"Damn it! Where's Karin!?"

As they exited the mansion, they heard an enormous crowd near the district wall. Everyone was agitated, shouting and booing. "Get out of here, outsiders!" or "Don't bother those who are at peace!"

They stopped there, staring at the mob, dreading the worst that could come.

"Alice, what do we do?"

"Hmm... Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do..."

A young woman came running from behind them, leaping onto the high wall. From there, she shouted.

"Citizens! I stand before you as Shingetsu Karin! I, along with my mother and Alice, will finally bring down the Umbras Empire! You can rest assured—your suffering may be great now, but... It will end once and for all!"

Everyone fell silent, staring up at her. Alice gritted her teeth, climbed up beside Karin on the wall, and shouted.

"Yes! I stand with Karin on this decision! I, Alice Leblanc, the 15th Princess of Franpari, together with my mother and all the people of Franpari, will defeat Umbras and put an end to all the chaos they have wrought!"

The crowd burst into heated discussion. Mere seconds after Alice's declaration, the people erupted in applause at the two young women standing before them. The lady put her hand on Alice's shoulder and said.

"Thank you, Alice!"

"It was my way of apologizing for earlier today."

In the sky, an airship soared overhead, and a voice echoed from it as a highly recognizable figure appeared.

A young, pale-skinned woman with long, navy-blue hair spoke in a tone of pure elation.

"All citizens of Ruthera! Today, I come to announce the opening of the Fifth Imperial Tournament! Contestants from all over the world may participate to earn a title of nobility and, beyond that, an incredible prize of one million Ruthz!"

The crowd went berserk, screaming even louder. The young princess looked up at her mother in sheer embarrassment.

"The participants who have already been qualified are: 'Alice Leblanc,' my daughter, the 15th Princess and the tournament's founder, 'Shingetsu Karin,' and 'Shingetsu Yunna'—those who will make the difference in the battle against Umbras!"

"Alice! Since when did your mother invite me to the Fifth Imperial Tournament?!"

Alice's mouth fell open, and she shouted in embarrassment.

"Did you really have to make a whole speech just to say that?! My mother is so over-the-top..." — she sighed and looked at her friend. — "Actually, Karin, this was what I was going to tell you later, but I had no idea about the Imperial Tournament part." — she finished with a forced, nervous little laugh.